Ready

Luke 6:27-36 (The Message)

To you who are ready for the truth, I say this:

Love your enemies.

Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst.

When someone gives you a hard time, respond with the energies of prayer for that person.

If someone slaps you in the face, stand there and take it.

If someone grabs your shirt, giftwrap your best coat and make a present of it.

If someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. No more tit-for-tat stuff. Live generously.

"Here is a simple rule of thumb for behavior: Ask yourself what you want people to do for you; then grab the initiative and do it for them!

If you only love the lovable, do you expect a pat on the back? Run-of-the-mill sinners do that. If you only help those who help you, do you expect a medal? Garden-variety sinners do that. If you only give for what you hope to get out of it, do you think that's charity? The stingiest of pawnbrokers does that.

"I tell you, love your enemies. Help and give without expecting a return.

You'll never—I promise—regret it.

Live out this God-created identity the way our Father lives toward us, generously and graciously, even when we're at our worst.

Our Father is kind; you be kind.

Are you "ready for the truth?" Can you handle it?

We can't until we're ready. Until we've tried it our own way for long enough, and hurt badly enough, it's tough for us to open up to this radical way of life that Jesus teaches.

Something's gotta give. There are cycles of hurt, violence and enemy-making that perpetuate themselves endlessly until someone decides to change.

Jesus has a wonderful, world-changing idea about enemies: "Let them bring out the best in you, not the worst."

Why should we pray for our enemies? Well, because we should want the very best for all people. Yes, I agree with that.

But even deeper, we should pray for them because that's the only way to be freed of the power that they hold over us.

When I pray for my enemy, the possibilities of empathy and understanding begin to unfold, even just a little bit.

It's difficult to spend time with God in prayer for an enemy and maintain our seething hatred.

Enemy-loving is probably the best gift we could ever give ourselves. It frees us, it lowers our blood pressure, reduces our stress and just generally makes us a much better person all the way around.

Can't let go yet? The choice is ours, and God will allow us to hold onto our pain and anger until we're ready to let it go...until we've had enough.

Try living generously. "You'll never -- I promise -- regret it."

Prayer: We need your help and guidance to see the places in our lives where anger still smolders and threatens to burn us up. We consider our "enemies" in these moments, and spend time with you in prayer. Teach us empathy, understanding, and let peace be our way in the world.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be. World without end. Amen.